4 Stan Family Tour

Flight to Almaty.

Morning arrival at Almaty International Airport (ETA 03:00).

Migration formalities usually take 30 min to 60 min: passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal and meet the driver with a sign “ANUR TOUR”.

Transfer to the hotel. Arrival at the hotel. Extra night

Resting time after the flight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

11:00 Sightseeing around Almaty includes visiting:

- Panfilov Park. The name of Panfilov Park comes from the heroes of Panfilov. There is a big monument in commemoration of the heroic actions made by 28 Almaty soldiers who died in 1941 near Moscow.

- Zenkov Cathedral. The Zenkov Wooden Cathedral is one of the eight unique wooden buildings in the world. It is one of the few buildings to survive the 1911 earthquake, even though it is built entirely of wood and constructed without nails;

- National Musical Instruments Museum. In the Museum of Musical Instruments, one can find various national musical instruments.

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Transfer to Bishkek by car (250 km ~ 4-5hrs) to the border post "Korday". Migration formalities ( visa/ passport control usually takes 30 min~2 h).

Please note: while passing the border, one needs to be ready to handle all the luggage across the border by him/herself (~300 m).

Continue to Bishkek.

Arrival at the hotel, check-in.Short time to rest.

In the afternoon, start a Bishkek walking tour visiting:

- Oak Park - city center. It is also known as Dubovy Park - today it is one of the favorite places among tourists in Bishkek. 

- Ala-Too Square is the central square in Bishkek. It serves as a place for state events and celebrations. Philharmonic Hall – situated at the top of Rose Alley.

- Statue of Manas (Manas is a legendary Kyrgyz hero and the classic centerpiece of Kyrgyz literature).

- Victory Square, where one can see the Victory monument, a memorial that was completed in 1984. Usually, the main festival events are held in Bishkek at the eternal flame, on Victory Square, with the guard of honor, forces of the Kyrgyz garrison, and a military band.

- The State History Museum is a perfect display of the Kyrgyz people and the history of the country of Kyrgyzstan.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

The tower was originally 45 m, but because of the great earthquake, part of the minaret was destroyed, and its height was reduced to 25 m. There are many beautiful legends about this place, and it is interesting to learn more.

- Issyk-Kul Lake is one of the most wonderful lakes in the world, located in the north-eastern part of the Kyrgyz Republic. Issyk Kul is translated as “Hot Lake” and is considered one of "the pearls of Central Asia". Due to the salty water, Lake Issyk Kul possesses curative qualities. There are many activities that entertain people on the beach: windsurfing, scooters, aqua parks, parachutes, and rides on boats and ships. In winter, there are also spots for alpinism where people enjoy incredible landscapes.

Leisure time and light walking at the lakeshore.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the yurt camp

Transfer to Bishkek with sightseeing en route:

- Skazka ( Fairytale) Canyon, the canyon was called Skazka or Fairytale because the trick of light and shadow creates images of walls and towers of fabulous castles among the impressive red rocks;

- Eagle show in Bokonbayevo (traditional eagle hunting).

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start Bishkek countryside sightseeing tour, visiting:

- Ala Archa National Park (40 km from Bishkek one way);

- Burana Tower, the vertical dominant of the ancient city Balasagun, the northern capital of the Turkic linguistic state of the Karakhanids, and the small nearby museum with its collection of ancient bal-bals, carved stone figures used as monuments. 

16:40 Transfer to the airport.

18:40 Evening flight to Tashkent by HY 780 (1,5 hrs).

19:00 Arrival at Tashkent International Airport.

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal, the driver will meet you with a sign “ANUR TOUR”.

Transfer to the hotel. As Tashkent airport is not far from the city center, the transfer will not take a long time (usually 20 – 40 minutes, depending on the hotel location).

Arrival at the hotel. Check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Transfer to the border Jartepa. Border crossing ( visa/ passport control usually takes 30 min- 1,5 hr).

Meet the guide and driver at the Tajikistan part of the border.

Take an off-road trip to pristine lakes located in the Fann Mountains; locals call the lakes Haftkul ( Seven Lakes) or Marguzor, after the name of the largest and most beautiful lake. 

 Every lake has its own name:  Nezhigon  (or Mizhgon),  Soybean, Gushor,  Nofin,  Hurdak,  Marguzor,  Hazorchashma. Six of the lakes are of dammed origin, besides Lake Hazorchashma.

The difference in level between the upper and lower lakes is 692 meters

Please note there are some shaky/ bumpy parts of the road; there is a mountainous, narrow track with photo stops.

Lunch at the guesthouse ( traditional meals).

Transfer to Penjikent.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing tour in Penjikent, visiting :

- Museum of Rudaki – As Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu-Abdallah Rudaki, the forefather of Persian poetry. Before lunch, visit the local bazaar and mosque.

- The Sarazm Museum (UNESCO World Heritage).

- The archaeological site of the ruins of old Penjikent - a walled intercity (2500 years ago) - was once a Sogdian trading city on the Silk Road. Today, only ruins are left owing to the fact that the main construction material was clay bricks.

14:00 Transfer to the Tajik - Uzbek border post Jartepa,

Migration formalities ( border crossing usually takes about 30 min-1,5 hr).

The driver will meet you at the Uzbekistan side of the border. Transfer to Samarkand.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide and driver. Start Samarkand sightseeing: 

– Gur Emir Mausoleum – a burial vault of Timur the Great and his descendants, decorated with gold ornaments and considered one of the most significant places in the world;

– Continue to Registan Square – the heart of Samarkand and a real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture—which consists of three grandiose buildings: Ulughbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor, and Madrassa Tilla Kori.

– Bibi Khanum Mosque – the biggest medieval building in the city, which was one of the most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world in the 15th century;

– Samarkand Bazaar Siyab.

Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide. Continue sightseeing in Samarkand (5-6 hrs):

– Shahi Zinda Necropolis – a unique complex of mausoleums on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) of Abbas ibn Kussam;

– Ulugbek’s Observatory – one of the finest astronomical centers in the medieval world—was built by order of Ulugbek, an outstanding scholar and astronomer;

– Khoja Doniyor Mausoleum - the mausoleum over the grave of one of the saints. According to legend, back in the 18th century, the ashes of the Old Testament biblical prophet Daniyar (Daniel) were buried in the mausoleum, the remains of which were brought to Samarkand and buried by order of Amir Timur.

– Paper factory "Meros”  in Konigil village that produces unique paper that can be preserved for more than 400 years and is used in craftworks.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day in Bukhara.

Optionally (can be added as extra) a countryside tour in Bukhara, visiting:

– Samanids mausoleum (9th century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

– Bakhauddin Naqshbandi mausoleum (the founder of Naqshbandi Sufi Spiritual order), located near Bukhara, the memorial complex of Bakhauddin Naqshbandi is considered one of the most significant religious places of Bukhara that attracts many visitors.

– Sitora-i Mokhi-khosa Palace - the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara.

14:40 Transfer to the railway station in Bukhara.

16:16 Departure for Tashkent by high-speed train "Afrosiyob"/"Sharq".

20:30 Arrival in Tashkent.

* If the train tickets from Bukhara to Tashkent are not available, the train transfer can be replaced with an evening flight from Bukhara to Tashkent.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver. Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Countryside sightseeing in Tashkent: please choose one of the options below (guide and transport services are included for 5- 6 hrs).  Because the program today can be flexible, the entrance fees today are not included; tourists can buy the entrance tickets at the ticket offices on their own.

Resting time in the evening.  Overnight at the hotel.

Opt 1. Chimgan Tour

10:00 Meet the driver and guide at the hotel. Transfer to the  Chimgan Mountains area, 120 km from Tashkent, about 1,5 –2 hrs one way.

-  Amirsoy cableway ride. Entrance fees to the Amirsoy complex/ Amirsoy cableway are not included; visitors can buy entrance tickets at the ticket offices of Amirsoy.

- Take a photo stop with panoramic views of Charvak Lake and Chimgan Mountains.

After lunch in the local café in the place called Bochka, transfer back to Tashkent. Arrival in Tashkent (ETA by 17:00).

Opt 2. Sun Institute and Uzumfermer.

09:30 Meet the guide and driver. Transfer to Parkent (45 km, ~1 hour on the way)

- The Big Solar Furnace- the heliotechnical complex is one of the two largest solar structures in the world.  Due to its ideal location, Parkent Solar Furnace has a number of advantages that contribute to the accumulation of environmentally friendly solar energy. 

The visitors can participate in simple experiments and watch the work of solar panels - heliostats, compare electronic and sundials, boil water, and learn how to light the Olympic flame.

- Winery Uzumfermer (excursion around the winery and wine tasting of local wines. Entrance fees are to be paid at the winery ticket office).

Transfer to Tashkent (1 hour). Transfer to the hotel.

Take-away breakfast/ Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

Morning departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour